Gear-shift lock for automobiles



July 8 1924. 1,500,948

4 A. R. 1.0m:

GEAR SHIFT LOOK FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed July :1. 192:; a Sheets-Sheet -1 a" Q 21-:- i 27 flfikllfilOffj 77577768 5 :5 guuenfot 1,500,948 A. R. LONG GEAR SHIFT LOOK FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed July 31. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jul 8 1924.

A. R. LONG GEAR SHIFT LC JCK FOR AUTOMOBILES Fild Ju y 1-, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet a Patented July 8, 1924 I a s i it STATE-S PA ENToFricE. j

ALBERT a. one, ,or'aansrmw, wrrsmvsvrrva'nm.

GEAR-SHIFTLOCK F03 AUTOMOBILES.

Application filed July 31,1923. Serial 1910. 654,820.

Be it known that 51, ALBERT B. Low in operation. cit zen of the United States, residing at With the above general objects in view, 'Ranshaw, in the county of Northumberland and othersthat will 'become apparent-as the 5 and State of Pennsylvania, have invented nature of theinvention is'better understood, 60 certain new and useful Improvements in the same consists in the novel form, oom- Gear-Shift Looks for Automobiles, of which bination and arrangement of parts, he'rei-nthe following is a specification. after more fully described, shown :inlthe This invention relatesto certain new and accompanying drawings, and claimed;

useful improvements in locking devices for In the drawings, wherein like reference .65

transmission gear shift mechanismsand has characters indicate corresponding "parts particular reference to the provision of an throughout the-several views: improved means for permitting the gear Figure '1 is a fragmentary view,partlyin shifting mechanism tobe set with the tr-ansvertical section and 'partlyinlside elevation,

mission simultaneously positioned with both ofa gear shiftingmechanism equipped'r-with 7 the reverse and high speed gears in mesh, alocking deviceiconstructe'd' laccordai-ice together with means for 'locking the gear with'the present invention. shifting mechanism With the gear so posi- Figure 2 is a horizontal (sectional v-iew tioned. taken substantially onthe iline ';2'-.'1-21of p The primary object of the invention is to ure 1, with the mechanism lockedi'in position provide means whereby the reverse gear of'a wherein the reverse and zliigh speed gears motor vehicle transmission may be placed are operatively engaged or meshed. in mesh and allowed to stay in mesh while "Figure 3 is a' viewfsimilar -to'tliligu-le 2, thegear shift lever is operated to addition with the "mechanism in neutral position.

25 ally set the gear shift mechanism in high Figure 4 is'a fragmentary-top iplanvievv speed position, together with means to autoof the device "shown in Figure 1. f matically lock the reverse gear in mesh when :Figure 5 is :a horizontal sectional view, the mechanism is operated to place the high taken on a plane above the tumbler FdiSCS speed gear in operative position, and means of the manually =controlled'locking device.

under manual control for locking the gear Figure one perspective view of theflock- 5 shifting member of the high speed gear, ging bolt for the high speed gear shifting so that the transmission is locked with the rod. s v

reverse and high speed gears simultaneously igure 7 is "a "fragmentary vertical :s e'coperative or in mesh, whereby unauthorized tional 'view of :the device shown in'Figures movement of the vehicle is prevented man 4 and 5, and v 4 7 9O efficient manner. Y i i Figure Sisa perspectiveview of the shif-ti A further object of the invention is to proing fork for the commutation disc convide means for automatically locking the 'trolledbolt of the n'lanually operable lock. transmission cover against removal when the Referring more in detail to the drawings,

4 reverse and high speed gears are in mesh, 5 and 6 indicate the conventional parallel which means is'automatically released when sliding rods of a gear shift mechanism: the gear shift lever is returned to neutral which are provided with notches '7 and 8 position with the reverse and high speed in the inner side thereof adapted forselecgears out of mesh. tive adjusting ofv the *lower end of agear 45 A further object of the invention is to shift lever-9 for selectively moving saidrod provide means whereby conventional forms so as to change :the speed or direction of of gear shift mechanism may be modified travel of the vehicle in a well'known man- :for elfectively locking the reverse and 'high ner. Theserods 5 and 6 areaadapted to be speed gears simultaneously in mesh so that operatively connected "to the transmission 50 unauthorized movement or operation of the gearing in any well known malnnerfbilt in vehicle is effectively preventedand theft of the form of the-invention illustrated, the the vehicle thereby rendered unlikely. rods 5 and 6 are mounted above the cover 'Still another object is to provide a lock- 10 of the transmissioncasing '11, "and said ing device of the above kind which embraces rods are provided upon their forward fBIldS To all whom'z't may concern: l bility of construction aswell as etfieiency 215 the desired qualities of simplicity and durawith shifting forks '12 that depend into i the casing lland have direct operative con- Ontheother hand, when the rods 5 and 6 are'positioned as shown in Figure? with the lever 9 disposed co-incident with both of the notches 7 and, 8, the lever is'in 'neutraleposition with all of the gears out of motor of the vehicle disconnected.

mesh, and thedrivingconnection tothe fIt is further noted. that when the rod 6 is moved: rearwardlybeyond the position shown in Figure 3, the second speed gear is in mesh,- while when the 'rod 5' is moved forwardly beyond the position shown in Figure3, 'the first speed gear is in mesh.

"The usual latches '13 cooperating with "notches 14in the outer sides of the rods 5 and 6 are shown in Figures 2 and 3 for. holding the rods 5 and 6 in any ottheir set positions, and it will be seen that each rod has three positions and consequently is provided with three notches for selectivereception of the latches 13.

The above construction of conventional 7 gear shift mechanism will prevent meshing of more than one gear at a time-because.

before one rod can be shifted, the other will necessarily havetobe returned to neutral position' In accordance withthepresent invention, the rod 6 is .provided with a second notch as at. 15, rearwardly of the notch 8 and in the inner side of the rod in such position that when the rod 5 is moved rearwardly tor meshing the reverse gear,

the lever 9 will be disposed in alignment with the notch 15es'o that the reverse gear may be left in mesh and the lever9 shifted into the notch 15 for forwardly moving the rod 6 so as to mesh-the high speed gear. Thus, by means of a simple modification of common forms of gear shitting mechanismr the driver is enabled, simultaneously 5O todplaceboth the reverse and high speed wgears into'operative position or in mesh.

PThe cover'lO of the transmission casing formed in the usual manner topro- Wilde a chamber within which the rod s 5 and P6 are disposed, and'these rods are suitably guided 'for"reciprocating" movement by meansof bearings 16 provided at the ends mot-the cover and through which said rod w, ,projects.

The chamber in the cover 10 is closed-at one end by means of a plate 17 =which has a transverse pocket in which are positioned a pair of spherical locking mem here 18.* The rear end of the rod 5 is pror-vided-lwlth apair of notches as at 19 and 20 at the inner side thereof, while the rear end of the rod 6 is provided with a similar notch at its inner. side, as at 21. The notches 2 0 and 21 are transversely aligned, and

aligned Withthe locking members 18 when the rods 5 and 6 are set in neutral position as shown in Figure 3, so that said locking members will automatically shift. toward the rod 6 and out or" the notch 20 when the rod 5 is moved rearwardly to reverse gear position. When the rod 5 is thus moved rearwardly to reverse gear position the .notch19'is brought into alignment with the locking members 18 and the notch/21 so that said members 18 are free to shift laterally in theopposite direction to engage the notch 19 and thereby move out of the notch 21 for permitting "forward shifting of the rod 6. As soon as the rod 6 is moved forwardly, the notched portion thereof willv engage the disc locking member 18 for cf i look may greatly vary in accordance with the desires of the user or various conditions influencing the installation of the invention, the same is shown as of the rotary tumbler commutation type and the same embodies a vertical bolt 28 that; is suitably guided as at 2tfor reciprocating movement and that has its upper end extending through an opening in thetop wall of the enlargement 22 as shown inFigures 1 and 1 I The lower end portion of the locking bolt 23 is reduced so as to provide a shoulder against which is positioned a washer 25 which forms an abutment for the upper end of a helical spring 26 that encircles the reduced lower portion of said bolt. The spring 26'has its lower end in engagement with one of the guides 24 of the bolt 26, so that the latter is normally yieldingly elevated with the upper end of the bolt. projected above the top of theenlargement 22. The forward end of theirod 6 is provided with a socket 27 adapted to be aligned with the lower end of the bolt 23 when said rod 6 is shifted forwardly to' high speed position as shown in Figure 2,and the bolt 23 will then be forced downwardly manually, so as to engage in said socket 27 for holding the rod 6 against movement with the high speed gear in mesh. Suitably mounted in the depending guards 28 carried by the top wall of the enlargement or casing 22 are a pair of spaced parallel rods 29 that are rigidly connected to move in unison as at 30, and one of the rods 29 is provided with an upstandinglug 31 adjacent the periphery of a plurality of l 41 i rigid y ettachedto he sh ting superimposed tumbler discs 32. ,T-hesettum- .bler discs are mounted upon vertical spindles which projectthroughthe top wall of the casing 22 and are provided with operating handles and dials as generally denoted at 33. Further details of this com mutation locking device are notshown as the same is preferably conyentional,- but it is noted that by a particular manipulation of the tumbler discs 32; the notches 34E of said disc may be aligned with each other and vwiththe lugs 31 so asto permit sliding moyen'ient ofthebolt29 carrying the lugs 31 in one direction, so as to permit said lugs 31 to move into said notches; Also the construction is such that these discs cannot be positioned by an unauthorized person with all of the notches 34 thereof aligned unless the particular combination is known to him. In this manner, with. any one of the discs 32 positioned with its notch out of alignment with the lug 31,,the bolt or red 29 carrying said lng will be prevented from moving inwardly" toward tth e axis of said disc. V

@lhebolt 29 which carries the lug 31 is also provided with ;a lateral rigid lug 35 adapted to entera notch3f} provided in one side of the upper end portion of the bolt 23 when the latter is depressed into the socket 27. Inthis manner, the disc ,32 holds the bolts 29in an outward positien with the lug 35 engagedin the notch =36 sothat said :lug '35 retains the bolt 23 in depressed position for engaging in thesocket 27, whereby the rod 6 is eife ctiyely loehed in high speed position. Qn the other hand, when the notches 4 of the CllSGf 32 arealigne d, the bolts 29 may beshifted so Etc-disengage the lug 35 from the notch 35 and permit thegbolt 23 tobe automatieallyraised, through the medium of the spring 26 so as m en age ai bo 3 ro the s e -27, whereupon the rod 6 is automatically released and allowed to be shifted through the medium of the gear shift levers.

1n order to provide neans for convenient shifting'of the bolt '29 vtoeither looking or unlocking position, the bolt 29 which is not in operative relation with the bolt '23 is provided with an upstanding pin -;engaging in the bifurcation of a shifting fork 38 that is fastenedto the lower end of a sp l f handle 39- ha s, sui ably journalled in the top wall of a casing-2,2.

The cover 10 is usually secured upon the casing l'l by means of suitable screws (not shown), adapted to pass throughopenings 40 in saidcover and to be threadediinto -the upper edge of the casing 1:1." -I -n order to guardagainst removal of this cover for permitting operation of the gears when they are lockedwith the reverse high' speed gears in mesh as shown in :Figure 2, the

portion 12 of the rod 6 and is adapted to rloweveiy the bolt ll will vbe shifted with the {rod 5 into locked position as shown in Figures 1 and 2 when the rod '6 is locked with the high speed gear in mesh as shown in Figure 2, and inthis manner, the present locking device is made substantially foob In operation assuming that the transmission is in neutral position with the rods 5 andfi disposed as shown in Figure 3, and that it is desired to lock the vehicle against unauthorized movement or use. The lever 9 is laterally tilted toward the left and then moved forwardly so as to rearwardly shift the rod 5 without influencingtherod 6. In

this manner, the rod 5 is broughtto the position shown in Figure25 and the lever 9 is then tilted laterally in an opposite direction, so as to engage its lower end in the notch 15 of the rod 6 and disengage the 1". same from the notch 7 of the rod 5. lever 9 is then swung rearwardly for caus- The ing forward movement of the rod 6 to high speed gear position as shown in Figure 2,

at which time the notch 21 s moved out of I",

alignment with the spherical locking members 18 for causing the latter to be shifted laterallyinto the notch 19 of the rod 5. The locking members are prevented from moving out of the notch 19 by the unnotched portion of the rod 6 when the parts are thus disposed and the rod 5 is first effectively held against movement with the reverse gear in mesh. The bolt '23 is then depressed so as to engage in the socket 27, and handle 39 is rotated to shift the bolt 29 to engage the lug 35 in the lock 36 so as to effectively retain the 'bolt 23 in engagement with the socket 27, whereby the rod 6 is effectively locked with the high speed gear in mesh. The tumbler discs 32 are then rotated so as to bring their notches 34 out of align ment with each other and out of alignment with the lugs 31 so that the/latter engages the periphery of said disc and the bolts 29 w are thereby clocked against sliding movementwith the lugs 35 held 'in the notch. 36 of the bolt The gear shifting mechanism is thus positioned with both the .re-

verse and high speed gears in mesh and locked against being disengaged except by an authorized person knowing the combination necessary to bring the notches 34 of the discs 32 into alignment with each other and with the lugs 3l. It is noted that the [device embodies a simple and practical modilication of conventional forms of gear shifting mechanism, and involves the provision of means for automatically locking the 3 reverse gear in mesh when the gear shift c elfective.

From the foregoing description, it is believed that the construction and operation as well as the advantages of the invention will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Minor changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is:

,1. In combination with the sliding rods of a motor vehicle gear shifting mechanism respectively movable in opposite directions for. meshing the reverse and high speed gears of the transmission, and a gear shift lever selectively engageable with said rods for sliding'the same one at a-time, of means for permitting movement of one of the rods in one direction for meshing the reverse gear and for permitting subsequent movement of the other rod for meshing the high speed gear without disturbing the reverse gear, means to automatically lock the first named rod against movement with the reverse gear in mesh when the other rod is -moved for meshing the high speed gear, anda manually operable lock for preventing movement of said other rod when positioned for meshing the high speed gear.

2. In combination with the sliding rods of a motor vehicle gear shifting mechanism respectively movable in opposite directions tor meshing the reverse and high speed gears of the transmission, and a gear shift lever ing the high speed gear, and means automatically operable upon movement of said outer rod to high speed position for automatically locking the cover of the transmis- SlOn caSe. i V 3. A device of the class described comprisinga casing having a pair of parallel longitudinally slidable rods mounted therein adapted for sliding movement in opposite directions for respectively meshing the reverse and high speed gears of a vehicle transmission gears, said rod being provided with notches in their inner sides, a gear shift lever movable selectively into said notches for selectively moving said rods, the rods for meshing the high speed gear being provided with a separate notch for reception of a gear shift lever when the other rod is in reverse gear meshing position, whereby the high speed gear may be meshed while the reverse gear is in mesh, means operable automatically to lock the rods for meshing the reverse gear, against movement, upon movement of the other rod for meshing the high speed gear, and a manually operable lock for preventing movement of the high speed gear meshing rod.

4. In combination with a transmission casing having a removable cover, and a gear shifting mechanism mounted on said cover including a plurality of rods movable in opposite directions for simultaneously meshing the reverse and high speed gears of saidtransmission mechanism, of means for simultaneously locking said rods against movement with the reverse and high speed gears meshed, and means operable upon meshing the high speed gear, for automatically locking the cover upon the transmission casing.

5. In a device of the class described, a slidably mounted rod adapted for movement rearwardly for meshing the reverse gear of a vehicle transmission mechanism, a second rod adapted to be moved forwardly for meshing the high speed gear of said transmission mechanism, said rod being provided with apair of adjacent notches adapted to be transversely aligned when the rods are in neutral position, the second named rod being provided with a further notch adapted to align with the notch of the first named rodwhen the latter is moved rearwardly to reverse gear meshing position, and a gear shifting lever selectively movable into said notches for positioning the reverse and high speed gears simultaneously in mesh, means for locking the first named rod in reverse gear meshing position automatically upon moving the other rod to high speed gear meshing position, said second named rod being rovided with a bracket, and a lock includmgabolt adapted to be projected into said socket when the second named rod is in high speed gear meshing position.

6. In a device of the class described, a slidably mounted rod adapted for movement rearwardly for meshing the reverse gear of a vehicle transmission mechanism, a second rod adapted to be moved forwardly for meshing the high speed gear of said transmission mechanism, said rod being provided with a pair of adjacent notches adapted to be transversely aligned when the rods are in neutral position, the second named rod being provided with a further notch adapted to align with the notch of the first named rod when the latter is moved rearwardly to reverse gear meshing position, and a gear shifting lever selectively movable into said notches for positioning the reverse and high speed gears simultaneously in mesh, means for locking the first named rod in reverse gear meshing position automatically upon moving the other rod to high speed gear meshing position, said second named rod provided with a notch into which said floating locking elements are forced when the second named rod is moved to high speed gear meshing position with the first named rod in reverse gear meshing position, said rods being further provided with a pair of notches adapted to be transversely aligned with each other and with the floating rocking element when said rods are positioned in neutral position whereby either of the rods are free to be moved from neutral position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ALBERT R. LONG. 

